Two months ago, I invited ridicule by posting Internet criticism of taxpayer subsidies for movie-makers who film in Michigan.

Many smart people responded and every single one of them agreed I am ignorant, incompetent and dim-witted.

My worst mistake was a ludicrous claim that movie crews create no permanent jobs, just a temporary boost for motels, bars, restaurants, casinos and prostitutes.

If Michigan attracts lots and lots of movies, jobs will be created. I know that now.

My other sin was criticizing Mitch Albom, the writer and well-known FOO (Friend of Oprah) who is apparently just slightly less popular than a religion.

Albom is lobbying the Legislature to bribe movie companies. He suggests it could decide if his next film is made in Michigan.

The bribe is called a 40 percent tax credit, which misleads people into thinking movie-makers would pay 60 percent of the normal business tax.

This bribe is much sweeter than a mere tax break.

Taxpayers would bankroll 40 percent of production costs for movies and TV shows shot in Michigan. Producers could pay zero business tax and receive millions of dollars from state government.

Obviously, there is a reason why movie-makers are more special than Elm Plating and Alro Steel and all the other businesses that must pay their own production costs. Ask someone smart because I don't know that reason.

Michigan, by the way, enacted a 12-to-20 percent movie bribe just last year. It looked nice until other states went higher. No one knows if the bidding will stop at 40 percent.

Tax breaks and subsidies were once a trade-off for benefits like new factory jobs and fixing up vacant buildings.

Now anyone with political clout can get special treatment by calling it an incentive. The rich get richer with taxpayer money.

Variety magazine reported Albom's next movie will be made by Columbia Pictures and a company founded by actor Adam Sandler.

Columbia is owned by Sony, which has annual revenues of $70 billion. Sandler makes $30 million a year, according to Forbes magazine.

Here's my idea to "remake Michigan" without leading the nation in corporate welfare to rich guys in Hollywood.

Let's try giving the same goodies to everyone, not just a favored few.